Ryan Ledson underlined the importance of taking a point from Reading’s visit to Deepdale despite feeling the Lilywhites had performed well for large parts of the goalless draw.
North End started off well with Scott Sinclair registering a shot on target inside the first minute and Emil Riis being denied by an excellent Rafael Cabral stop among the Lilywhites’ first half opportunities.
Reading had the chance to win it eight minutes from time when Lucas Joao won – and missed – a penalty, and Ledson said that came at the kind of late stage when it had become a case of not wanting to lose the game.
“I thought the lads played particularly well, especially first half. It was a tough game but if you can’t win the game, don’t lose it.
“I think the first 20 to 25 minutes, we were really on top, we gave the game to them; I don’t think they played out of the press once.
“I thought we started well, towards about 35 minutes, we gave away a couple of stupid free-kicks, which we know they’re dangerous from, but then second half was easily poised and I think if it gets to the last ten minutes, you definitely don’t want to lose the game.
“As we all know, when teams want to come and play, that’s when we’re at our best. We got the press really well today. We want to make it a scrappy game, we want to make it into a 50/50 battle, because we fancy ourselves against anyone in the league.”
Ledson felt the penalty decision which saw Joe Rafferty penalised for a foul on Joao was an unfair one.
“I didn’t think it was a penalty, I think he takes too long to make a decision, I think the decision was about ten seconds after. I think the screaming from them has turned his decision. In the end, it’s a little bit of justice.
“It’s a contact sport. I think Raff has done particularly well to defend it. Joao still got his shot off, but just not very well. From our point of view it’s well defended by Raff and it shouldn’t have been a penalty.”
North End now have three free midweeks in which to bed in four new January arrivals, which he feels will prove invaluable, and had special praise for one of those men – Daniel Iversen – after a fine display from the Danish shot-stopper against the Royals.
“We’ll get the new lads in, they’re new to the way we play and the way we press. They’ve had a couple of games to see what life’s like at Preston. I’m sure with the next three weeks they’ll really show their own.
“I think he’s [Iversen] been excellent since he’s come in the building, I really do. It’s unfortunate what happened to Dec because we all love Dec and know what a great ‘keeper Dec is, but if Daniel’s going to play for the rest of the season, I think he’s started brilliant, and hopefully, long may that continue.”
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